"The very highest"

Here's another installment in my "Lord of the Rings" appreciation posts. For this one, I skip way ahead, to the second book, The Two Towers, to the chapter titled "The Window on the West." Frodo and Sam are trying to find a way into Mordor to destroy the One ring, and are captured by Faramir, brother of their former companion, Boromir, and son of the steward of Gondor, Denethor. Boromir was enticed by the ring and tried to take it from Frodo, and the hobbits fear that Faramir will do the same, so they try valiantly to conceal the purpose of their journey. But Faramir soon realizes what they are carrying.

One reason I like this scene so much is that Faramir is shown as a great, noble man, a true leader--as Sam recognizes. I've never been sure what to make of the character of Faramir in the movies. One moment he seems to be all he is pictured as in the books. The next, well, he seems to be a sniveling little boy trying to impress his dad. I guess the filmmakers felt he was a little too perfect in the book and wanted to introduce some conflict to his character. In my opinion, it didn't work. Here's a glimpse of the real Faramir.

The hobbits came back to their seats and sat very quiet. Men turned back to their drink and their talk, perceiving that their captain had had some jest or other with the little guests, and that it was over.

"Well, Frodo, now at last we understand one another," said Faramir. "If you took this thing on yourself, unwilling, at others' asking, then you have pity and honour from me. And I marvel at you: to keep it hid and not to use it. You are a new people and a new world to me. Are all your kin of like sort? Your land must be a realm of peace and content, and there must gardeners be in high honour."

"Not all is well there," said Frodo, "but certainly gardeners are honoured."

"But folk must grow weary there, even in their gardens, as do all things under the Sun of this world. And you are far from home and wayworn. No more tonight. Sleep, both of you--in peace, if you can. Fear not! I do not wish to see it, or touch it, or know more of it than I know (which is enough), lest peril perchance waylay me and I fall lower in the test than Frodo son of Drogo. Go now to rest--but first tell me only, if you will, whither you wish to go, and what to do. For I must watch, and wait, and think. Time passes. In the morning we must each go swiftly on the ways appointed to us."

Frodo had felt himself trembling as the first shock of fear passed. Now a great weariness came down on him like a cloud. He could dissemble and resist no longer.

"I was going to find a way into Mordor," he said faintly. "I was going to Gorgoroth. I must find the Mountain of Fire and cast the thing into the gulf of Doom. Gandalf said so. I do not think I shall ever get there."

Faramir stared at him for a moment in grave astonishment. Then suddenly he caught him as he swayed, and lifting him gently, carried him to the bed and laid him there, and covered him warmly. At once he fell into a deep sleep.

Another bed was set beside him for his servant. Sam hesitated for a moment, then bowing very low: "Good night, Captain, my lord," he said. "You took the chance, sir."

"Did I so?" said Faramir.

"Yes sir, and showed your quality: the very highest."

Faramir smiled. "A pert servant, Master Samwise. But nay: the praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards. Yet there was naught in this to praise. I had no lure or desire to do other than I have done."

"Ah well, sir," said Sam, "you said my master had an elvish air; and that was good and true. But I can say this: you have an air too, sir, that reminds me of, of--well, Gandalf, of wizards."

"Maybe," said Faramir. "Maybe you discern from far away the air of Numenor. Good night."